The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-16
DIR. JOSEPH PARKER AND WIFE.
Personality and Traits of the Great Londol
Preacher-Their Home Life

Personality and Traits of the Great London
Preacher-Their Home Life.
Max Eliot. in Boston Herald.
l. is about five years since I first had the
pleasure of meeting DR.. Joseph Parker, the emi-
pent London preacher who. with Mrs. Parker.
is now In Boston, and who will preach this
morning at fremont Temple. l first heard DIR.
Parker in his own pulpit at the City Temple,
down near the Holburn viaduct in London, and
/ thought him. then as now. the most dramatic
and one of the most eloquent orators ever list
ene6 to. DR.. Parker is pre- eminentlv popular
speaker, and wins the sympathy and admiration
of the masses IN manner that ID phenomenal.
He reminds me of great tragedian and pow
erful emotional actress combined, for like them.
he is intense in his discourses and there are mo-
ments when he seems to fairly electrify his hear
ers, jus as great actor docs an audience In
his own pulpit. DR. Parker uses the black silk
robe, with full bishop sleeves of his denomina-
ton. and this attire lends added dignity. and
forces a most imposing demeanor and additional
emphasis to his discourse. In the tones of his
powerful voice. that thrill with magnetism
we'll as force. there is perceptible tinge of his
native Yorkshire accent that lends added vigor
to his words. Among his people DR.. Parker is
almost idoliZed. and he is to them sort of SUI
perior guiding star. In this respect as well as
in many others. he resem bles his beloved friend
for many years, henry Ward Beecher,
clergyman that has ever occupied American
pulpit was warmly beloved and respected by
his flock Mr.. Beecher. There were
times in Mr.. Beecher's ministerial charge when
the attachments between him and his people was
proven by the strongest circumstances that
W
and it is fact worthy of record
that the stanchness of Mr.. Beechers
immediate friends hardly
greater than that of DR.. Parker's enormous con-
gregation who worshped in the City Temple
many thousand miles across the The
memorial sermon and eulogy which DR.. Parker
recently delivered at Plymouth Church, in the
same pulpit where for many years stood
Plymoth Churehs own pastor. must have becr
trying ordeal to DIR. Parker, for, in speaking OF
Mr.. Beecher TO a few days since, the
strongest otion most visioly showE by
both him and Mrs. Parker. Their affection and
friendship among the nobest I have ever
known, and in it lies one of the strongest SER
mons the world could have. ] never in
home where many evidences of friendship
aud regard for absent one were shown as In
DR.. Parkers home in London. In every room
in the quaint, old-fashioned red brick dwelling.
with its pretty. spacious lawns and bits of park
like wood and shrubbery. there were
photographs and mementoes, in one
form another, of Mr.. Beecher,
and in the dainty white and gold dra win groom.
with its choice array of water colors, there were
books. pam plets, and pictures of Mr.. Beecher,
in such careless confusion that one felt the
writer of the former and the original of the lat
ter was with and not absent. Scarcely q
year passed that DR.. Parker and Mr. Beecher
did not see each other, as one year Mr.. Beecner
would take a run over to England, and probably
the next Dr. Parker and his charming wife
would find themselves for q few weeks the guests
OF their friend at his lovely home near Peekskill-
on-the- hudson. Like Mr.. Beecher DIR. Parker
has written mum of works, including THE
Inner Life of Christ" "Ecce Deus The Para
clete." and Apostle Life" that have established
for him mama in thanlorical literature Of con-